SASCO Eastern Cape statement on the suspension of student leaders and subsequent mass action by students at WSU Mthatha Campus. The South African Students Congress in the Eastern Cape is deeply concerned about the situation that is currently prevailing at Walter Sisulu University Mthatha Campus and Nelson Mandela Drive site in particular. Students at this campus took it upon themselves to embark on mass action in defense of their leaders following the unfair and unprocedural suspension of nine SRC members by the interim Vice Chancellor Prof K Mfenyana. The nine SRC members were suspended for allegedly disrupting a student services council meeting of the University in Butterworth sometime in August. The suspension included a return of all university asserts in their possession and an immediate eviction from their residences and from the university premises. We believe that these actions were extreme and provoking to say the least. It is our view that the University’s actions are out of order and perpetuate the victimization of students who dare to take a stand against them. This is an attempt to instill fear in students and creates a hostile environment for student leaders to advance student struggles. We are particularly concerned about the academic impact this suspension will have on the students concerned. The academic year is coming to an end and students are currently in preparation for final exams in less than two months’ time. The actions of the university shows no regard for the academic progression of the concerned suspended students.We call on students at this campus to soldier on and not only defend their leaders, but also protect each other against any form of oppression and victimisation. We believe that this is important because it remaims the only tool at our disposal to defend ourselves and protect each other. While we remain opposed to ill-discipline and misconduct, we condemn in the strongest possible way any form of victimization of student leaders. We believe that if this situation is not properly managed, it bears a potential of being a fully blown strike which may have seriously negative impact on the university as a whole. We call upon the University Management to carefully reconsider their actions in order to avoid unnecessary conflict and work towards resolving the situation. In an attempt to bring resolve this matter, we will be meeting with our structures, deployees and the University Management to come up with an amicable solution on this matter. We will also be engaging our branch in Zamukilungisa site together with our deployees as we have seen looming opportunism on the side of our opposition. Issued by the PEC of SASCO in the Eastern CapeFor more information contact: Buyambo Mantashe (Provincial Chairperson) 072 709 0216 or Yanga Zicina (Provincial Secretary) 078 558 3615
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 10:27:04 +0000
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